The Supreme Court will hear today a batch of petitions seeking modification of its December 2016 order banning liquor vends within 500 meters of state and national highways across the country. A bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and S K Kaul assured yesterday a battery of lawyers led by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi that it will ensure that the matters are heard today.<br/><br/>Mr Rohatgi informed the bench that the apex court judgement, ordering closure of liquor vends alongside highways, will come into effect from 1st of April and this leads to a situation where urgent hearing is needed. Kerala, Punjab and Telangana had approached the Supreme Court seeking modification of the order.